as in sweetheart
a person with whom one is in love
decided to look up an old flame while she was in town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to glow
to be on fire especially brightly
guests gathered around as the Yule log flamed brightly in the inn's great stone fireplace
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to erupt
to develop suddenly and violently
my anger flamed when the usher told my friend to shut up
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
as in to gleam
to shoot forth bursts of light
the actress's ruby necklace flamed dazzlingly under the bright lights
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of flame
Noel Brennan, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Ukraine was invaded by Russia just days after the flame was extinguished on the last Winter Olympics, the 2022 Games in Beijing.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Alyson Rodriguez, Dallas Morning News, 1 Feb. 2026
Think again, as the California Zephyr, the longest route in America crosses through seven states, carving up Colorado’s canyons, then passing into Utah where the sun ignites mesas into flaming towers of rock.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flame
Noun
In 1871, flames consumed more than 17,500 buildings, but Chicago rebuilt better and higher than ever before.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Ukraine was invaded by Russia just days after the flame was extinguished on the last Winter Olympics, the 2022 Games in Beijing.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Attendees can also indulge in flaming cocktails to toast their love.
—Alyson Rodriguez, Dallas Morning News, 1 Feb. 2026
Think again, as the California Zephyr, the longest route in America crosses through seven states, carving up Colorado’s canyons, then passing into Utah where the sun ignites mesas into flaming towers of rock.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flame
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flame
Noun
-
Reserve a lane and get competitive with your sweetheart.—
Kaitlyn Keegan,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
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Show your sweetheart, friends, and family some love with one of these arrangements.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That leads to high temperatures, which create a glowing protostar due to the rapid (kinetic) motion of the internal gas particles, and eventually, after a few tens of millions of years, the core temperatures rise high enough (above 4 million K or so) that nuclear fusion of hydrogen begins.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
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Now imagine the same with some of those teary eyes angled down toward glowing screens, while others frame the bride with their phones.—
Nikita Khanna,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
News of the possible project erupted last month after reports emerged that the federal government was eyeing the large, empty warehouse in a south Kansas City industrial park for an immigration detention center with thousands of beds.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
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Violence erupted in Kansas in 1854, not over fugitive slaves but over the prospect of slavery taking hold there.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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If humans opt to burn more fossil fuels and increase climate pollution, that number drops to just four.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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The reasons in this case, Dunn said, include the emissions released by the new compressors — which would be powered by burning gas from the pipeline — as well the noise and vibrations produced by the facility.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The rooms Supremely comfy, with no gimmicky surprises — just proper, old-school amenities, the plumpest beds and (16 types of) pillows, and gleaming bathrooms decked in mottled marble.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
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This budget-friendly dish soap will get your dishes gleaming.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The action star and Marvel darling is featured in Amazon's Super Bowl ad for its new Alexa+ system alongside his wife Elsa Pataky.—
Sarah Whitten,Sara Salinas,Sarah Jackson,Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
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Since its 2021 premiere, Hacks has been a major awards and critical darling, if not ratings giant, due to its sharp writing, superb performances and industry skewering.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Donnie orders all of the women out and begins to throw Molotov cocktails to trap the men, who die in a blazing inferno.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
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For many of us, a spritz is best enjoyed under a blazing sun, preferably next to the water, maybe wearing as little as possible.—
Chadner Navarro,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The benign case is that China is doing small-scale testing to ensure its weapons won't explode accidentally.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
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Butler started WeSchool more recently, when interest in at-home learning exploded during the pandemic.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flame. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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